Korea, New Zealand hold vice-ministerial talks to discuss energy ties, regional security

First Vice Foreign Minister Park Yoon-joo, right, shakes hands with New Zealand Deputy Secretary of Foreign Affairs and Trade Bede Corry during a bilateral meeting at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs headquarters in Seoul, Thursday. Courtesy of Ministry and Foreign Affairs

Vice foreign ministers of Korea and New Zealand met in Seoul on Thursday and discussed ways to boost cooperation in energy and other fields of mutual interest amid the conflict in the Middle East, Seoul's foreign ministry said.

During the meeting, Korea's First Vice Foreign Minister Park Yoon-joo and New Zealand Deputy Secretary of Foreign Affairs and Trade Bede Corry exchanged views on major regional and international issues, including the Middle East conflict, and developments on the Korean Peninsula and Pacific island countries, according to the ministry.

Park said the meeting was meaningful as it marked the first bilateral high-level consultation between the two foreign ministries since the two countries established a comprehensive strategic partnership last year.

Noting that Korea is New Zealand's largest supplier of refined petroleum products, Corry called for close coordination between the two sides on energy supply issues amid the Middle East crisis.

Corry also emphasized the growing importance of close communication between like-minded countries amid increasing uncertainty in global circumstances, the ministry said.